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Posted 5/11/2010 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
     Saw Dr. Fry this afternoon at Pa Hospital.  Loved the guy!  Very, very professional and easy to talk to.  I am opting for the ileostomy not the j-pouch.  This for several reasons.  He explained that at my age there is a much greater risk for complications with j-pouch.  It is much more stressful on the body even than heart surgery.  This is considering my age, blood pressure issues too.  I have no problems with the idea of wearing a bag.  I just want to feel better.   Dr. Fry will operate.  I have to have an echo stress test done at my heart doctor's office on June 1st.  Dr. Fry suggests my being off the Humira at least six weeks prior to surgery, so we are talking about the end of June for surgery date.  I will phone his office tomorrow to set things up.  He operates on Mondays and the Thursday before the operation is when I have to go in for my pre-op testing.

     Guess I will mosy on over to the ileostomy forum for more info.  I have good vibes about this.  Thank you all for your suggestions and information.  I don't know what I would have done without you people! wink

Posted 5/11/2010 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
Wow! I am excited for you as I know you have been struggling for quite a while. I wish you lots of luck and a speedy recovery! Please continue to keep everyone posted. I will be following your process. It is great you have a good connection with the surgeon!
Posted 5/11/2010 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats Christine - I hope you are as happy with the outcome of the surgery as I have been :)
Posted 5/11/2010 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
::fingers crossed::
:)
Posted 5/11/2010 10:10 PM (GMT 0)
Oh  that is good news!!  I wish you all the luck in the world!!
Posted 5/11/2010 10:20 PM (GMT 0)
Wishing you all the best Christine! You've struggled for so long and always had hope that a med would work to get this illness under control...now it's time to move on and you take control! Yipee!


Posted 5/11/2010 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
I think this is going to be a great decision for you, Christine. You've been really suffering with this DD for quite a while now. When we don't have so many years left, we no longer have the luxury of fooling around, do we? We just want to get well and get on with living.
Posted 5/11/2010 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
I am so proud of you. I ave been following your struggle with this decision and I agree, it sounds like the best choice, you will gain control of your life and finally get on with all your fab trip planning!!
Posted 5/11/2010 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
You know surgery would be my very last decision but I feel from reading your posts you are doing what is right for you.

I will be 70 soon so hoping I never have to have the surgery but would if necessary.

Good luck!  I just know you will do fine!

ElaineNY

Posted 5/11/2010 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
     Elaine...I wanted to have this surgery not only because I was so sick...which is the main reason, but I AM getting older and diabetes runs in both sides of my family, both mom and dad had it.  I am afraid if I wait too long to have surgery and develope diabetes, that would be yet another strike against me. So, both hubby and I have good vibes about this doctor and my decision to go forward. :-)
Posted 5/11/2010 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I understand.  I am wanting the knee replacement for similar reasons - waiting you never know what other health problems come along and then you CAN'T have much needed surgery.  Now that my UC is pretty much under control (knock on wood) I have to get rid of the infection in my mouth - three teeth pulled, etc.  Always something!  Still hoping for my surgery about time you get yours - or July!  One day at a time.  Many years I bowled with a woman who was young and had a "bag" and we never knew it.  Saved her life come to find out!  You will do great and think of the LACK of pain, etc.

I see my new gastro doctor June 1 and decisions will be made then.  June 3 I will be 70 so need to get moving here.  One of my biggest problems is my weight and without being able to walk it is hard to lose - plus I love to eat!

ElaineNY

Posted 5/12/2010 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
I am so happy to hear you've made a decision. You seem confident that this is the right thing & I think it is because you will not have to worry about flaring up anymore. I am excited for you!!!
Posted 5/12/2010 1:45 AM (GMT 0)
Christine, I am happy to read this! This is a huge decision, and it sounds like it is the best one for you. There is just no sense in continuing to struggle with this as you have. I am excited for you to get your life back!! And I am anxious to hear all about the process as you go through it.

Hooray for moving forward, Christine!
Posted 5/12/2010 2:11 AM (GMT 0)
Christine, I think you will be very happy with your decision. I just want you to feel healthy again - life is too short to be miserable.

Posted 5/12/2010 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
Congrats! I bet you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner XP not that I blame you. Anyways, good luck! You feeling good about it can make all the difference.
Posted 5/12/2010 4:33 AM (GMT 0)
Good for you, Christine, and getting your life back! I'll be following as things go along, and it sounds like you have really great confidence in your doctor and your decision.
Posted 5/12/2010 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
This is great news, Christine! I wish you nothing but the best and if you have any questions I will be more than happy to answer them for you. Congrats on the beginning of something great!
Posted 5/12/2010 5:20 AM (GMT 0)
That definitely was fast scheduling. Great you have a doctor who you really like to do the surgery for you.

Makes sense about the permanent ileostomy.

Hope the time before the surgery has you maintaining the status quo.

quincy
Posted 5/12/2010 12:08 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck Christine. I hope it all works out for you. I will keep this doctor in mind should I need to go in the near future.
Posted 5/12/2010 12:26 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like the right decision, Christine - you sure have been suffering. How wonderful you found such a great doctor!
Posted 5/12/2010 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like you made a good decision...if the Remi stops working for me then that will be my next step. Good luck to you and please keep us posted as to your progress!!
Posted 5/12/2010 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, you did it! Good for you. I hope you will still visit us here once you are UC-free.
Posted 5/13/2010 5:22 AM (GMT 0)
Good luck to you, Christine. I am sure you will feel much better after your surgery.
I had my surgery 6 weeks ago and am now living a new life. I am 51 years old and I opted for a permanent ileostmy too.
The only thing I don't like is the gas. I wake up every morning (after 8-9 hours of sleep) with a balloon on my waist.
Yes, now I can have 8-9 hours of sleep without a single visit to the washroom! Isn't it great?
Posted 5/14/2010 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Burnaby that is good news. But I never got up in the middle of the night to move my bowels. I would sometimes wake about 5 am. It's just that annoying pressure in the rectum, almost a constant pressure, whether I evacuate or not. Today I am having a good day and when I feel like this, I sort of wonder if I am making the right decision to have the surgery, but then my daughter reminds me that sure...I can have a good day and tomorrow I could be glued to the hopper from 9 am to almost noon with severe urgency and cramping. I also have to look at the long term. I am now 63 yrs old, going to be 64 in August, in relatively good health other than having high blood pressure (well controlled with meds) and osteoporosis (thanks to prednisone use). If I continue with these meds, what will await me? Lymphoma? Cancer? Onset of diabetes? Possibility of heart problems which run in my mom's side of the family? Then what? They would all put me in a much higher risk for surgery than I am now. So I have to weigh all the pros and cons and feel I am making the right decision.
Is there a website where I could learn more about the permanent ileo and what to expect? Diet, time of recuperation? Did you have an ostomy nurse come to your house the first few weeks following surgery?
Posted 5/14/2010 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
Best of luck on your surgery from a former Delawarean :-)
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